OLHC News Issue 37 Term 4 Week 8 - 29th November 2024
Our Lady Help of Christians is a Child Safe School and is committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We acknowledge the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia, and Japagulk peoples as the traditional custodians of the land upon which our school was built.
Principal Report
Dear Parents and Friends of Our Lady's,
Our students have been getting ready for change this week. Some Year 6 students had a transition day at St Brigid's, and will have another next Tuesday. Students attending Murtoa College have a transition day on Thursday next week, also.
All the students and staff at the school are getting ready to farewell the original school building at the end of the year. We have begun to move to the Library and Multi-purpose rooms, which will temporarily house our school while the new building arrives and is fitted out. It is a time of excitement and optimism, but also a time where we reflect on all the hard work, dedication, and love that past and present community members put into making Our Lady's such an amazing place.
This Sunday marks the beginning of Advent, a special time of waiting and preparing for the birth of Jesus and the celebration of Christmas. The theme for this first week of Advent is Hope. Advent reminds us to look forward with faith and trust, knowing that even in challenging times, Jesus is with us. As we light the first candle of the Advent wreath, we reflect on the hope that the Christmas story brings to the world — a hope that can inspire us all to be kind, generous, and filled with joy. Let’s share this hope with each other as we start our Advent journey together!
As always, please make arrangements to speak with me if you have any concerns about your individual child.
All the very best,
Chris McCumstie
principal@olhcmurtoa.catholic.edu.au
Year 5/6 Camp- Melbourne
Information for the upcoming 5/6 Urban Camp was sent home with students and emailed through to parents.
Dates: Monday 9th December – Wednesday 11th December 2024
Cost: $360. With the generous assistance offered by the OLHC P&F, that cost is reduced to $260.
Further information regarding the pick-up and drop-off loop will be forwarded once it is confirmed with the cluster schools. Any questions please contact the General Office or email the principal.
- Medical Form to be completed and returned by 25/11
- Permission Form (on SIMON) to be completed by 25/11
New Build - updated photos!
We are at an exciting stage with our plans for a new school. Swanbuild, the company that the school have employed, have commenced work and at this stage we are looking forward to the whole project being completed by mid-2025.
When the original and main school building is demolished, learning will take place in the Library and Multipurpose Room. Our Junior Class will move to the Library for their day-to-day learning, and Seniors will move to the Multipurpose Room. Because the build is modular and largely occurs offsite, we are hoping for our time in temporary learning spaces to be short and swift.
Junior Room Art
Junior Room - Fluro Day 6/12
Students in the junior room are invited to dress up in fluro/bright colours to celebrate the completion of learning in Science (solar systems, planets, light, shadows) and to acknowledge the bright minds that students brought to all their learning, including the reading of the class novel, Mr. Popper's Penguins. Activities will include: science, art, cooking (fruit kebabs) and watching the movie Mr. Popper's Penguins (rated G). Well done juniors, you are all so bright and wonderful!
Message from Mrs. Dalgleish
Library borrowing is available again.
Mrs. Dalgleish requests that all books be returned by Thursday 12th December.
Child Safety
Our Lady Help of Christians is a Child Safe School. We implement the 11 Child Safe Standards, and work to embed these in our school culture. Our newsletter is just one place among a number where we educate our community about Child Safety. Below is a concise and helpful guide to the Child Safe Standards. The Child Safety Officer at OLHC is Chris McCumstie, and he can be contacted for information at any time.
principal@olhcmurtoa.catholic.edu.au
School TV
The SchoolTV initiative at Our Lady Help of Christians School aims to help parents to navigate the often complex issues they face in raising their children.
Expert advice, helpful tips, and other resources, are available to all our parents and caregivers. Explore the wide range of topics at SchoolTV by clicking on the link below.
Important Upcoming Dates:
December:
- Tuesday 3rd December - St. Brigid's College Year 7 2025 Transition Day
- Thursday 5th December -Year 7 2025 Murtoa College Transition Day 4
- Friday 6th December - Junior Room Fluro Day, Dress Up
- Monday 9th to Wednesday 11th December - Year 5/6 Camp Melbourne
- Monday 16th December - Graduation Mass St. Mary's Murtoa at 6.30pm
- Monday 16th December- Last Day for Students
- Monday 16th December - Last Day for Staff
January 2025:
- Sunday 26th - Australia Day
- Monday 27th - Australia Day Public Holiday
- Tuesday 28th - Staff Day
- Wednesday 29th - Staff Day
- Thursday 30th - First Day Term 1
Mass Times & Parish Information
Sunday 1st December Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church at 8.30am.
2025 Sacramental Program - EARLY ENROLLMENT
Reconciliation – Holy Communion – Confirmation
Reconciliation & Holy Communion is available to children in Year 4 and above.
Confirmation is available for children in Year 6 and above who have
completed Reconciliation & Holy Communion.
Early Enrolments help us decide where sessions are held and how many are needed.
Early Enrolments close Friday 13th December at 4pm.
General Enrolment will follow and be open until February 15th, 2025
If you would like more information or to enrol your child, please visit the Parish Office
at 10 Roberts Ave or Email: wimmeramallee@ballarat.catholic.org.au
Parish Bulletin
Community News
Pool Volunteers
Local families willing to volunteer on mowing or Kiosk roster at Murtoa Swimming Pool, please contact Sophie Delahunty on 0415 456 642
Community Carols
Uniting Church in McDonald Street, Murtoa
8th December, 7pm
If anyone needs assistance with transport please contact Pam on 5384 7380 or John on 5385 2470
Christian Emergency Food Centre Horsham
Neighbourhood House are accepting donations of non-perishable food or money in support of the Christian Emergency Food Centre, Christmas Appeal. Donations can be dropped off up to 12th December.
Calendar Dates
Please click on the link below to take you directly to our School Calendar.